2022 AFC Cup will be difficult, the situation is different this time: ATK Mohun Bagan’s Pritam Kotal

ATK Mohun Bagan’s defender Pritam Kotal believes the 2022 AFC Cup will be difficult as the situation is different this time. ATK Mohun Bagan will face Sri Lankan club Blue Star FC at the Salt Lake Stadium on Tuesday in the second Preliminary Round of the tournament.

The Mariners will have their work cut out in the competition as the level of football will be higher than the Hero ISL. ATK Mohun Bagan finished the recently concluded season of the Hero ISL 2021-22 in third place in the standings with 37 points from 20 matches. However, their journey was ended when they lost to eventual winners Hyderabad FC by 3-2 on aggregate in the semifinals.

Thus, ATK Mohun Bagan will look to come up with a collective effort in the AFC Cup to go all the way in the competition.

“We got a direct entry to the group stages of the AFC Cup last season, but the situation is different this time. We have to win two qualifiers to gain entry to the main event, which makes the 2022 AFC Cup more difficult. Like the previous term, the strengths of the teams in the group stages are quite similar, but that comes later,” said Pritam Kotal, as reported by the ATK Mohun Bagan media team.

“Our immediate target is to win the match against Blue Star FC. The team defends with 10 men at a time, plays compact football and relies on counter-attacks. So, we need to give our 100% to win the game and cannot underestimate our opponents.”

On the other hand, Liston Colaco is determined to give his best for the club in the upcoming AFC fixture. The winger wants to play a key role in the team’s success after ISL disappointment.

“I suffered a nose injury while playing for the national team. After the operation, I am doing well and now I am fit to play. I scored for ATK Mohun Bagan in the AFC Cup last season. I have scored eight goals and assisted five times in the Hero ISL 2021-22,” stated Colaco.

“Despite the positive display, we were unlucky not to win the title or the League Winners’ Shield. That is why I cannot say it has been a perfect season for me. If the team performs well in the AFC Cup, then only I can say it has been a successful season. We’ll try our best.”